Circular Economy, number one priority of the European Green Deal
On 11 December, the European Commission will release its Green Deal, and according to high level officials, circular economy is set to be the number one priority for Europe. This is a move ECOS fully supports, as detailed in our priority checklist published today.
To make the circular economy a reality, the policy focus of the next Circular Economy Action Plan, expected in March 2020, needs to move away from targeting waste and shift clearly towards more transformational design and systemic solutions. One key element will be for Europe to finally set up a sustainable and circular product policy framework, with a strong focus on product ecodesign, giving priority to such important sectors as textiles, construction products, furniture, and electrical and electronic products including batteries.
We also call for exclusion of hazardous chemicals, better integration between bioeconomy and circular economy, reducing plastic’s environmental footprint and use, and a stronger focus on waste prevention. All of these activities need improved environmental assessment tools and sustainable financing. And we are not the only ones calling for a change: a number of our messages were echoed in joint statements with other NGOs, for instance on chemicals and on waste.
With EU sources saying the new Circular Economy Action Plan will make up half of the carbon cuts expected under the Green Deal, the potential is big, as are our expectations.
